In what ways did the Roman Catholic Church confront the threat of Protestantism?

Authors Avatar
In what ways did the Roman Catholic Church confront the threat of Protestantism?

It was generally felt throughout the 1500's that the Catholic Church was corrupt. The papacy were criticised for abusing their authority and setting a poor example to the laity and the clergy. Pluralism and absenteeism was rife among the secular clerics. The regular clergy, such as monks and nuns, were predominantly landowners and were more interested in managing their estates than serving their community. Teaching, pastoral care and standards of morality had been lost. The laity also paid taxes to the church and the clergy enjoyed unfair privileges, such as the canon law, which allowed them to endure less severe sentences than in the common law courts.

Their attitudes caused a lot of opposition to the Catholic Church, in particular Martin Luther, the leader of the protestant reformation. Luther began to become influential as Protestantism became more popular and some states began to adopt it as their primary religion. Luther was excommunicated in January 1521 after being condemned by the Pope and given sixty days to recant, which he did not.

To many popes reform of the Church was not seen as a priority until 1527. This was under Clement VII. The Sack of Rome brought to light the problems within the church and was believed to be a sign that God was displeased with the way in which His church was being run. This was meant to be a turning point and Clement VII accepted that reform was needed but was weak and ineffective at installing it. It was clear that the next Pope to be chosen would be inclined towards reform. This was Paul III.

As 'the outward spread of Protestantism' began in Germany and started in England and France, Paul realised that the council requested by Luther in his dispute Emperor Charles V, was vital for the survival of the unity of the church. Before summoning the council he sent a newly appointed Cardinal, Gasparo Contarini, to Regensburg to reach a compromise with the Protestants. This was a disaster as the Catholic Church was inflexible and unwilling to compromise. It was clear then that a council was absolutely necessary. The Council of Trent, summoned in 1545, was initiated as a general reform of the church. However, it was clearly a response to the protestant threat. Paul III's initial aims were to protect his own authority as head of the Catholic Church, to remove clerical abuses and to define Catholic doctrine and defend it from Protestants. Charles V aims differed; he wished to find a compromise that would prevent a permanent religious schism in Germany. He believed this would be achieved by agreeing on dogmas that were 'sufficiently inexact and generalised for both Catholic and Lutherans to be able to accept them'. Paul saw the purpose of the as not to accommodate the Protestants but to form a valid defence against the protestant attacks, and this would help to prevent a division of the church.
Join now!


When Charles realised that his method would not be agreed to, he neglected the Council and decided to try and defeat the Protestants in battle, this allowed the papacy to dominate the council and establish a doctrine. After Charles had defeated the Protestants he realised that this was only a temporary solution and rejoined the council. However, by this time the council had made definitions of faith, which would make any compromise with the Catholics impossible. The dogma is a clear retaliation to the Protestants. Every decision reached appeared to have anti- protestant intentions. The issues that clearly ...

This is a preview of the whole essay